Total Health Breakthroughs: Free Natural Health Newsletter and Alternative Health Articles

In This Issue:

Why Stem Cell Research May Be Irrelevant

By Dharma Singh Khalsa, M.D.

I have great news to share!

Creating new brain cells was previously thought to be impossible in humans, but not any more. And you don’t need to have an injection of stem cells into your brain to do it, either.

As you may know, stem cells are your body’s basic building blocks, used for repair and growth. And when it comes to your brain, stem cells turn into new neurons or brain cells. These brainy stem cells then produce a chemical that protects other brain cells, even damaged ones, from deteriorating.

And recent research reveals that they can reverse memory loss, as well as help restore brain function in humans suffering from a wide range of diseases that impair memory, including Alzheimer’s.¹

So why then do I say that stem cell research is irrelevant?

Well, while it’s been known that creating new brain cells (neurogenesis) was possible in animals such as rats, mice, and canaries, in an elegant new research study at Columbia University, Scott Small, M.D. unveiled the first proof that exercise creates new cells in the exact brain area that is affected by age-related memory loss.²

Previous research has shown that people who exercise do better on memory tests. And it’s also true that, when you exercise, you experience an endorphin high and feel great. Moreover, you increase your brain’s blood supply and create a compound called brain-derived neurotrophic factor, or BDNF, that induces nerve cells to grow, branch out, and make connections with one another — all signs of an ageless brain.³

This groundbreaking study, however, explains specifically what exercise does within the brain. Exercise, it was revealed, targets a region of the brain within your memory center known as the dendate gyrus, which underlies age-related memory decline. Exercise increases blood flow to this all-important anatomical area and grows new brain cells. Exercise transforms stem cells into fully-grown, functional neurons right where they’re needed most.⁴

And the best news? You don’t have to run marathons or be an Olympic weight lifter to derive the benefits of developing higher levels of brain power. Here’s all you need to do:⁵

• Exercise at least three times a week.
• Pick something you enjoy and stick with it. Perhaps you like tennis.
• Hill training, brisk walking, cycling, or exercising on an elliptical trainer or treadmill are all fine provided they’re done for 30 minutes or more.
• Finally, don’t forget about body-weight exercises or other resistance work, done in combination with your aerobic conditioning.

Exercise does more than build muscles and help prevent heart disease and keep you trim. This new science suggests that it also boosts your brain power — and may offer help in the battle against Alzheimer’s.

Best of Blessings,

Dr. Dharma

References

1. Cage, FH, Science, 287 (5457): 1433-1438, 2000.
2. Pereira A, et al. Proceedings of National Academy of Sciences, vol 14, no 13, March 27, 2007; 5638-5643.
3. Singh-Manoux A, et al. Am J Public Health, 2005; 95 (12): 2252-2258.
4. Van Pragg H, Gage FH, Nature Neuroscience,1999; 96(3): 266-270.
5. Friedland RP, et al. PNAS, 2001; 98(6): 3440-3445.

[Ed. Note: The author of seven best-selling books, Dharma Singh Khalsa, M.D., often referred to as Dr. Dharma, is America's # 1 Brain Longevity Specialist. To be part of his on-line community, receive his free newsletter, The Healing Minute, and claim a free e-book go to www.drdharma.com. You may ask him a question at info@drdharma.com.]

Nutrients & Health:

Good Day, Sunshine

By Joseph McCaffrey, MD, FACS

Want an easy way to protect your heart? Get some sun.

More and more reports prove the importance of vitamins for maintaining health. Most recently, research shows an association between vitamin D levels and the risk of heart attack.

Scientists have noted for some time that heart disease has a higher incidence in northern climates, as well as during the winter, and at lower altitudes. These associations suggested a possible role for vitamin D since they describe situations that reduce sun exposure. The body produces copious amounts of vitamin D in response to sunlight.

Researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health explored this possible association by checking blood levels of vitamin D in 454 men with severe heart disease.¹ They compared these data with the levels in the blood of 900 men without any evidence of heart disease.

Even after correcting for other risk factors such as cholesterol level, high blood pressure, diabetes, omega-3 intake and so forth, men with low levels of vitamin D had an increased risk of heart disease.

This adds another reason to be sure you have adequate levels of vitamin D.

The researchers concluded: “These results further support an important role for vitamin D in myocardial infarction risk. Thus, the present findings add further support that the current dietary requirements of vitamin D need to be increased to have an effect on circulating 25(OH)D [vitamin D] levels substantially large enough for potential health benefits.”

A polite way of saying the FDA needs to get its act together.

Sun exposure maintains healthy vitamin D levels, but be careful. Under no circumstances should you let yourself get a sunburn. Even if you aren’t burned, too much exposure does damage your skin. Twenty minutes with about half your body exposed should be enough.

I live in the north and spend much of my time indoors. Getting adequate sun exposure isn’t practical for me. I take about 1000 units of vitamin D a day in the summer. I increase that to a few thousand a day during the winter when I rarely get any sun.

If you want to be certain your levels are adequate, you can have your blood tested. For most people, simply getting some sun and supplementing will do the job.

Reference

1. Giovannucci et al. Arch Intern Med., 2008;168(11):1174-1180.

[Ed. Note: Joseph F. McCaffrey, MD, FACS is a board-certified surgeon with extensive experience in alternative medicine, including certification as a HeartMath Trainer. His areas of expertise include mind-body interaction and cognitive restructuring. Dr. McCaffrey strives to help people attain their optimum level of vitality through attention to all aspects of wellness. For more information, click here.]

Healthy Recipes:

Eggplant Pancakes

By Laura LaValle, RD, LD

On lower carb diets, pancakes can be a hard food to replace. The recipe below is a great option at only 9 carbs for two pancakes. It can be served with fresh berries or a little agave nectar for a sweet version, or with Italian herbs and tomato sauce with nitrate free sausage for a savory version.

Serves: 6

Time to Table: 45 min

Ingredients*

1 medium eggplant (about 1 1/4 pound)
1/4 cup water
2 large organic eggs
2 T. almond meal
3 T. organic brown rice flour
1/2 tsp. xanthan gum
1/4 tsp. salt
coconut oil or butter for griddle

*Select organic ingredients for optimum nutrition.

Preparation

Remove stem and cut eggplant in half lengthwise. Place cut side down in baking pan. Add water, cover pan and bake eggplant at 350° until tender. Peel and remove seeds (it is not necessary to remove all of the seeds.) Mash by hand or in a food processor. Add well- beaten eggs, almond meal, flour, xanthan gum, and salt. Mix well. Drop by large spoonfuls onto oiled or buttered griddle or skillet. When tops and edges of pancakes start to dry and pancakes are golden brown, flip over and until the other side is golden brown. Serve with fresh fruit or your favorite nut butter. Makes about six servings — two pancakes each.

Nutrition

75 calories, 3 g. total fat, 1 g. saturated fat, 1 g. monounsaturated fat, .3 g polyunsaturated fat, 70 mg cholesterol, 120 mg sodium, 9 g carbohydrate, 3 g fiber, 3g sugar, 4 g protein, 170 IU vitamin A, .7 mg niacin, 20 mcg folate, 20 mg calcium, 200 mg potassium, 5 mcg selenium

Adapted from Today’s Diet and Nutrition Magazine.

[Ed. Note: Laura B. LaValle, RD, LD is presently the director of dietetics nutrition at LaValle Metabolic Institute (formerly part of Living Longer Institute). She offers personal nutritional counseling at LMI for clients who need help with their diet in relation to illness or disease. Laura also provides educational services in the areas of health promotion, wellness, and disease prevention. To learn more click here.]